Researchers, obviously, have their work cut out for them. Before we can really begin to understand how best to avoid and treat lipodystrophy, we first need to understand what lipodystrophy really is. Is it a combination of lipohypertrophy and lipoatrophy or is it just lipoatrophy? If it is a combination of lipohypertrophy and lipoatrophy, how are they related to each other? We also need to better understand how different factors work together—HIV medications, HIV infection, genetics, and possibly other factors that haven't yet been identified—to cause the body-shape changes and problems with fat or sugar levels in the blood that are still affecting many HIV-positive people.
The uncertainties of lipodystrophy research is frustrating, especially for people who are experiencing one or more of its symptoms. The truth is, there are no easy answers to come by. The good news is that this problem has become a major focus of research efforts—there are a lot a scientists working on finding the answers we need. So keep your eyes on this web site and others like it for frequent news updates on the latest in lipodystrophy research.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of lipodystrophy, such as changes in your body shape, be sure to discuss them with your health-care provider. And don't be afraid to discuss new information that you find on the World Wide Web or elsewhere with your doctor. The AIDS epidemic has taught many of us to be resourceful with treatment strategies that are already available to us. Dealing with lipodystrophy will require the same optimistic approach, at least until effective therapies become available.
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